Virgil van Dijk's crucial role for Liverpool in 2024 is highlighted as he's played the most minutes in the Premier League. Despite contract uncertainties, his importance to the team persists.
Liverpool 's reliance on Virgil van Dijk's availability has been highlighted as 2024 moves closer to a conclusion. The Reds centre-back has been ever-present in the Premier League and the Champions League this season and continues to be one of the first names on the team sheet. Van Dijk was named as Liverpool 's new club captain in the summer of 2023 following the departure of Jordan Henderson. Almost 18 months later, Van Dijk's future has become the subject of intense speculation.
The summer of 2025 will see Van Dijk's current contract expire, although talks between Liverpool and the defender's representatives remain ongoing over an extension. Despite the possibility that Van Dijk could leave Anfield on a free transfer next summer, the Netherlands international's importance to the team only continues to grow. Figures reported by the CIES Football Observatory has stated that Van Dijk has played the most minutes in 2024 than any other player in the Premier League. The findings show that the centre-back has played 5,523 minutes this calendar year for club and country, which sees him rank fourth overall in world football. Only Jule Kounde (Barcelona), Jhon Arias (Fluminense) and Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) have played more minutes this year than Van Dijk. It was a little over 12 months ago that Van Dijk addressed the concerns around player welfare and the increased number of fixtures for clubs and international teams. 'In England we believe that the calendars are too demanding,' Van Dijk told reporters in October 2023. 'The players are paid well, but this should never be to the detriment of our health. 'We keep having to play more and more games. We players should start saying something, contribute to a solution.' Liverpool still have 23 Premier League matches to play this season, as well as two more league phase fixtures in the Champions Leagu
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